US veterans which are disabled, are they not American Veterans if disability is not service connected?

Question

Seems like these vets are of a lower life form....just because
I managed to get through four years of military life during an unpopular war (Viet-Nam) and only come home with hi-pitch hearing loss due to flight line duty (which the VA denies
the claim)...now I have degenerative arthritis in both knees
and hips...I don't blame the service for this, but anyway, I'm
a very much disabled veteran...whether service connected
or not, but who wants to hear about an old fizzel and his
arthritis pain?

Answer 1

A Veteran is a Veteran no matter what. And the Veteran's Administration provides health care benefits for ALL veterans, not just those who have been disabled in the line of duty. However, the VA's funds are not unlimited, so they do prioritize that care.

The statement below is taken from the VA's own home page:

"VA provides a Medical Benefits Package, a standard enhanced health benefits plan available to all enrolled veterans. This plan emphasizes preventive and primary care, and offers a full range of outpatient and inpatient services within VA health care system.

VA maintains an annual enrollment system to manage the provision of quality hospital and outpatient medical care and treatment to all enrolled veterans. A priority system ensures that veterans with service-connected disabilities and those below the low-income threshold are able to be enrolled in VA’s health care system."

So, veterans who have access to other health insurance and who have not been disabled in the line of duty are likely to receive less attention from the VA. This may not seem fair, but the idea is to assure that all vets have care, whether it be from the VA or some other source.

Answer 2

First of all, thank you for your service.

Technically, a disabled American veteran is one who has been ruled disabled by the VA as a direct result of service-related injury or illness.

It's impossible to prove that arthritis which began years later is a direct result of your service. Many people your age suffer the same thing and did not serve. You're still an American veteran, and one that has become disabled, but you aren't a 'disabled American veteran' the way the term is understood.

Answer 3

You are an American Veteran no matter whether you are disabled or not. But if you are thinking in terms of receiving care at a Vet hospital - then yes, the way things work is the people who receive care there are people who have disabilities caused by war.

Have you thought about going back to the VA and appealing?

Answer 4

I agree with the first answer to contact your elected officials . I also was not aware we were not allowed in a USO . I hear other vets complain about bad care at VA facilities and I can assure you that is not the case in all VA facilities. I use VAMC's at Fayetteville and Little Rock, Arkansas and in all my years I have always been treated with respect and dignity and have always got speedy and complete treatment for whatever ailed me at the time. I use Fayetteville mostly and when I meet one of the doctors in a hallway they always shake my hand and ask how I am doing and some nurses and technicians ( females ) will even stop and give me a big ole hug. I have had several admissions over the years and have never heard a grouchy employee , including house keeping , maintenance , food service , etc. Sure have ran across a lot of grouchy vets though. So don't judge all facilities to be the same as what you have experienced. Good luck and thank you for serving.

Answer 5

LOL. I can laugh because it is a good day and my fingers work well enough to type. U r right, no one, especially the gov. wants to hear it. However, u do qualify for veteran's benefits
I have a close friend, who got his neck hurt in the coal mines, but since moving here, even though the mine insurance co. is liable and will pay, he is getting some of the related nerve damage worked on at the VA. He says they never ask him if it was service related, he just started asking about the numbness in his arm and they did x-rays and have him in therapy that really helps. Course, he was already going to the VA for knee problems from vietnam.
My son-in-law's dad is a severe alcoholic who did one tour in Nam. I just talked to him about this and he says he has zero service related injuries and just qualified for treatment from his one tour. They treat him for all of his physical probs from drinking so much for so long and even for the alcololism. He gets his meds., the whole nine yards. He is standing here telling me to tell u that he doesn't have a single service related situation and they take care of him totally. He first signed up at the age of 55 and he gets a disability check and everything. He is saying he went through the VFW, they told him what forms ... and even helped fill out the forms. A nurse from the VA told him to do that and it went right around the problems he was having, getting signed up. He is saying it took quite a few months, but eventually he heard from them and now they take care of him.
I've taken him to the doctor several times and they really do tend to him well.
Good luck and thanks for ur sacrifice. He is saying to try the VFW and any other civilian -military services. He was not getting the time of the day from the VA until he went through the VFW.
Go get em, they owe u, too!!!

Answer 6

I'm sorry you are in pain and having problems, but thank you so much for your service. And I'm sorry I'm not able to help you with your question. My opinion of how our country should care for you and other veterans, whether disabled or not, is irrelevant to our government, but I just want you to know that you are appreciated.